Rue Centrale 15

2015 | Lausanne | Transformation

Major transformation of an administrative and commercial building with new storefronts.

This contiguous building, dating from 1938, is listed in the cantonal inventory under grade 4 and is located in the northern urban fabric of one of Lausanne's busiest roads. The initial concept was for a commercial and administrative building, which could not be fully respected during extensive alterations due to the requirements of the City of Lausanne.

In fact, the requirement to allocate a third of the building's surface area to residential use obliged the architectural firm to design a different kind of building enclosure to accommodate this new use.

In terms of the façade, the administrative connotation absolutely had to be preserved regardless of the creation of apartments, which required careful, in-depth consideration to maintain the original state.

As for the base, it has been completely revamped, with the commercial surfaces treated in total transparency. The idea was to eliminate the traditional shop windows creating a foreground for the benefit of the store itself, thus highlighting it. The same applies to the all-glass canopy above the shops, protecting part of the sidewalk and pedestrians while letting in maximum light for the stores. Under the supervision of the Department for the Protection of Built Heritage, the façade on Rue Centrale and its "protected" stairwell demonstrate that it is possible to combine not only the proper respect for an old building, with its imposed constraints, but also state-of-the-art operational technology, all of which is perfectly compatible.

Project

Rue Centrale 15

Status

Completed

Location

Lausanne

Year

2015

Plan - Rue Centrale 15